Bristol Pride

6 July - 14 July

EVENT OVERVIEW

Bristol Pride is an annual festival in the city of Bristol, which champions equality and diversity across South West England. In 2017, 36,000 people attended 19 events organised by Bristol Pride.

Bristol Pride is also a chance to celebrate our community. Organised by members of the LGBT+ community Pride is the chance for all LGBT+ people, their friends, families and allies to stand up and declare they are proud of who they are and their loved ones.

Multi award winning and voted UKs No2 ‘Best Pride’, Bristol Pride is the largest free Pride in the UK. Over 100 artists performed last year and we’re busy announcing acts for this year already.

Bristol Pride is not only one of the largest Pride events in the UK but we are one of Bristol’s biggest events, so no wonder we are named in the top 3 reasons why people visit the city (Destination Bristol visitor survey 2015). We’ve won a number of awards and are proud to be different, offering a fantastic host of activities and amazing line-up but keeping Pride a free and accessible event that showcases and celebrates the LGBT+ community.

ABOUT: PRIDE DAY

Pride Day starts at 11am with the Pride Parade leading to a massive outdoor music multi stage festival (open at 12 noon) with onsite creative activities, community and family areas, bars, food concessions, market and much more. Check out what’s on and be sure to get a Pride Supporter wristband to help keep Pride going and access fantastic discounts such as money off at the bars and FREE bus travel with First Bus.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Pride Day FAQ

PRIDE DAY IS ON THE HARBOURSIDE NOT CASTLE PARK(Though the parade does leave Castle Park at 11am)

NO ALCOHOL IS ALLOWED IN WITH YOU
this is to comply with our licence to hold Pride

YES, YOU CAN BUY DAY SUPPORTER WRISTBANDS ON THE GATE
These will be on sale from the Box Office Area by main gates.

eTICKETS CAN BE EXCHANGED ON THE DAY OR IN ADVANCE FROM THE PRIDE HUB. Please have all the QR codes (downloads) ready to scan.
The Hub is open from the 2-13 July at City Hall, College Green (The Vestibules) Mon-Fri 10-7pm

YES, YOU CAN SHOW YOUR eTICKET ON THE BUS

IF YOU ARE UNDER 16 YOU MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULTthis is to comply with our licence to hold Pride

Those have been the main questions but we know there’s always questions you need to ask so we compiled a few FAQs to save you time (and our inbox!)

I’VE LOST MY EMAIL ABOUT MY WRISTBANDSYou can log in to your account on TIKK and download again. https://tikk.co.uk/faq/

It’s British Summertime, so please do check the weather before heading out, bring plenty of water, sunscreen or layers and brolly!

Where is Bristol Pride 2018?
The main Pride Day Festival on Saturday 14 July will take place in the Amphitheatre and We the Curious’ Millennium Square. The Festival opens at 12pm and runs through to 9.30pm.

What Time does the Parade Start?
The parade gathers from 10am in Castle Park leaving at 11:00am Sharp!

Is the Parade free?
The parade is free for the public to participate in. However all businesses and organisations that want to take part in the parade and have not booked a stall or supported Pride in some way already will need to register and we ask for a fee. email us for more details.

What is the policy for re-entry?
We again expect record numbers at Bristol Pride 2018 and we can get very busy. We allow reentry but if the site reaches capacity we will implement a 1-in-1-out policy to ensure the safety of all our attendees.

What is the alcohol policy on site?
There is no bringing alcohol onsite, this is to comply with our license, this year there are extra bars onsite and wristbands get you 50p of drinks.

Please note that the Pride Bars give the money to the festival and help keep Pride going.

There is a strict zero tolerance policy on illegal substances and “legal highs” onsite including NOS

Can I bring bottle water in with me. Is there water onsite?We have Bristol Water onsite again this year with their free water bar. Bring an empty reusable bottle to fill up on the day. You can bring SEALED soft drinks into the festival but they must be unopened and all bags will be searched.

Can I bring my own food?
Yes you can, but we will have several wonderful food outlets onsite who have all supported Pride by attending the day to sell you some yummy food. Pride Supporter wristbands will get you discounts or extras from Burger Joint, Sausage Fest, Desy Thai, Yellow Turban Curry, VX Vegan Junk Food, Ruby and White, Pho, and One Love Kitchen. Check out our Food & Drink section. If you bring your own food please clean up after yourself and do not leave litter, which our volunteers then have to clean up.

How do I get the free bus travel on Pride Day?First Bus in Bristol offer free travel to everyone with a Pride Supporter Wristband in the Bristol Inner Zone on Pride Day. All you need to do is show your wristband OR eticket to the driver.

Where can I see the Stage Times?
Timings for all artists are in the Bristol Pride Programme, you can get copies from the Pride Info tent on Pride Day or view it online here.

Is Pride free to attend?
Pride is a donation entry, everyone will be asked for £3 on entry if they can afford to pay it, however we remain committed to making it accessible for all so if you cannot pay you are still able to come and enjoy Pride. Why not get a supporter wristband for £5 and you will save money all day, there are also £15 Day +Night wristbands available for the Pride Afterparties! Buy them online from Tikk *booking fees apply or from the Pride Hub ahead of the day

Wristbands – Tell Me MORE!
There are two wristbands:
£5 supporter – discounts at bar and food on site as well as Free bus travel with First Bus Inner Zone on Pride Day.
£15 Day+Night – supporter benefits and includes entry to the official afterparty curated by Pride at the 02 Academy with Sink The Pink’s SAVAGE DISCO, DTYM, KIKI and SISTA PLEASE. You also get free entry to the Queenshilling and the Hush LBTQ+ party and Punka at the Old Market Assembly.
Super Supporter (VIP) have sold out.

You can exchange your etickets for wristbands with us or buy direct from our Pride Hub which is in the City Hall Vestibules from the 2-13 July, open 10am til 7pm weekdays only. YOU CAN exchange and buywristbands on the gate on Pride Day (Though if you are able to purchase in advance it will help keep the gates flowing)

How do I get to Pride?
Pride is held in the centre of Bristol, easily accessible by foot or public transport and only a short walk from Temple Meads train station, we encourage everyone who is able to use these methods to reduce traffic trying to reach the festival. With all supporter wristbands you get Free Inner zone bus travel with First Bus, just show your wristband or ticket on Pride Day.

Is Pride family friendly?Totally! Pride welcomes all families and there is a dedicated Family Area full of activities from our sponsors Uber and We the Curious. We have also teamed up with the Malago WI to bring you Kite Making in the area. We are proud to have great activities such as Drag Queen Story Time and Super Pirates leading activities all day. There’s also family orientated groups in the community area and a dedicated youth area for older-young people. We aim to provide a space for LGBT+ parents or parents of LGBT+ children but recognise Pride is also a chance to show the next generation how diversity is a great thing.

The water attractions next to Pride will be partially accessible from the family area, please do not let children play in them unattended, or leave children unattended anywhere in the festival. Under 16s should be accompanied by adults to the festival, we work with local you group Freedom Youth who can provide support for under 16s unable to have parents or guardians accompany them.

Are Dogs Allowed?
Whether your dog is LGBT or straight they are welcome to join in, they must be on a lead and obviously you must clean up after them! Do remember to bring water for your dogs and to avoid taking them through crowds. Pride does get very busy so please consider this before bringing your dog to Pride.

What are the accessibility options?Why not read our accessibility page HERE
Bristol Pride has moved to the Amphitheatre and Millennium Square, this means that we have a much more accessible site than previous years, entry to the site is completely flat and there is a ramp down into the main arena in the Amphitheatre for those with mobility requirements. However there is some cobbled stoned areas, if you need assistance please speak to one of our access volunteers in bright orange t-shirts or contact the info stall.

We have also introduced a priority viewing space, to find these please ask a member of staff at the info desk on the day or refer to the map inside the Pride Programme. We ask everyone to help with this area and please give up your seating if you do not require it and someone asks for it when seated in this area, always be considerate of others needs.

All stages will have BSL interpreters on this year and we have large live screens with the interpreters inset on and for viewing the main stage from further back.

We have a dedicated viewing area for wheelchair users and those with restricted mobility and accessible seating area where we ask patrons to give up their seating if required by someone who needs it.

As well as accessible portaloos in all the toilet blocks, this year we also have a Mobiloo accessible toilet with hoist and changing table onsite this year.

We always need more volunteers who can Sign. Please email us if you can help.

Where and when is the Pride afterparty?
Pride are taking over the 02 Academy on Frogmore Street, it kicks off from 10pm and features 3 rooms of fantastic music, headlined by SAVAGE, DTYM and Kiki. There is a Facebook event here or visit our website.

The Official Afterparty is always a fantastic celebration of our community and a chance to dance and celebrate with Pride! All the money from this party goes to keep Pride Day free.

If I don’t want to go to the official afterparty what other nights are supporting Pride?
The Queenshilling is giving those with the Pride Day + Night Wristband free entry and donating to Pride all the door money they take on the door. (What good eggs), Pride Day + Night wristbands also gets you into the Hush LBTQ+ Party at Basement 45 and Punka at the Old Market Assembly. B’tch Please also host a party at the love in where all profits come back to Pride. Please consider supporting a venue and event that supports Pride happen but do also get out and support the scene who are here all year round.

I want to come and flyer with my business, can I?
If you have not already booked a stall at Pride then No. We are now at full capacity and we do not allow adhoc flyerng at the event. We have to do all the litter picking ourselves so to reiterate anyone who has not already booked to have a stall to engage the public will be moved on. If you want to benefit from Pride you have to support it.

What can I do to support Pride?
By attending you are showing your support for all that Pride stands for, however we cannot run without your donations, by getting a supporter wristband, using the on-site bar and donating on the day you are supporting us.

We also need VOLUNTEERS to help make Pride happen so in you want to help get involved!

How does Pride raise the money / where does the money go?
We work hard to bring in the sponsorship and fundraise to make Pride happen. We work year round to bring in sponsorship and we apply for grants, many of these grants are for specific project work that Pride does.

We do not get funding to simply put Pride on so it’s all from sponsorship, your donations and our trader income from Pride Day. Pride Day costs over £180,000 to make happen and whilst we could easily charge to cover this cost we are committed to keeping Pride a free to enter event – important for vulnerable members of our community.

The money comes from your donations, supporter wristband sales, sponsors and the majority is from the afterparty – all the money from the O2 goes to Pride Day.

Bristol Pride is a registered not for profit charity (no. 1166817) all money raised goes straight back into making Pride happen, supporting Pride Week events and our year round work that includes lobbying and campaigning, education and outreach programmes.

What shall I do if I see one of the Pride Staff team at the afterparty?Buy them a drink.

Your Travel Options

For this festival we offer a variety of different travel options which can be tailored to your needs, we just need to know some more details from you in order to organise your best travel options. Click book travel to this event and complete the form and a member of our travel team will be in contact to complete your journey.

For this festival we offer both national and local travel packages to get you to your chosen event. If you live within an hours drive of the event, you may want to check out our local travel packages below, so you and your group can select a pickup location near to you; a quicker and more cost effective way to travel safely to and from your chosen event.

We also offer national travel and more tailored options, we just need to know some more details from you in order to organise your best travel options. Click book travel to this event and complete the form and a member of our travel team will be in contact to complete your journey.

For this festival we offer both national and local travel packages to get you to your chosen event. If you live within an hours drive of the event, you may want to check out our local travel packages below, so you and your group can select a pickup location near to you; a quicker and more cost effective way to travel safely to and from your chosen event.

We also offer national travel and more tailored options, we just need to know some more details from you in order to organise your best travel options. Click book travel to this event and complete the form and a member of our travel team will be in contact to complete your journey.